Instructor Trainer bios
The members of our esteemed team of Pilates Instructor Trainers are accomplished and internationally sought-after educators known for their comprehensive knowledge, dedication and professionalism. Each hold full certification in the STOTT PILATES® method and have achieved additional designations to complement their training.
A diverse group, they come from varied backgrounds including physical therapy, exercise science, athletic therapy, dance, and group and personal fitness training to name a few. Every member of the team strives to uphold the highest standards of training that have been developed worldwide.
Oscar Favaro
Pilates Italia
Milan, Italy
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer
Bio
Oscar began his training with STOTT PILATES® in 2010 became a fully Certified Instructor in 2013. Very shortly after that he began his training to become an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew®. He is now currently teaching at our Licensed Training Center in Milan, Italy.
See where I teach
Pablo Vera
Floating
Madrid, Spain
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, ISP, Rehab
Additional credentials and designations
Physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Master’s degree in Neurocontrol Motor, Sports Rehab and Therapeutic Exercise Prescription
Bio
Before joining the Merrithew community, Pablo worked as a physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and holds a Master’s degree in Neurocontrol Motor, Sports Rehab, and Therapeutic Exercise Prescription. He gained extensive clinical experience treating complex musculoskeletal, postural, and neurological conditions, with a strong focus on evidence-based practice, motor learning, and functional rehabilitation.
He was drawn to the STOTT PILATES® method for its precision, logic, and scientific foundation, which aligned naturally with his clinical background and passion for teaching. Seeing how effectively the method improves both learning and client outcomes inspired him to pursue the Instructor Trainer pathway.
Pablo is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to a global community committed to movement and lifelong learning. As a Master IT and course developer, he is inspired by the evolution of the Merrithew curriculum, global collaboration, and the meaningful impact of high-quality movement education. Supporting new ITs and elevating educational standards remain central to his work.
His areas of interest include musculoskeletal rehabilitation, exercise programming, biomechanics and motor learning, research translation, and mindful movement.
Pam VanGilder
Pilates Center of Ballet Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork & Reformer
Additional credentials and designations
Pink Ribbon Certified; John Barnes Level 1 MFR Course; Dance Education
Bio
Pam has worked in the field of dance and movement education for most of her life. She has designed and created dance education trainings and curriculums for classroom teachers and teaching artists locally and nationally. As a member of the National Dance Education Organization, she was on the committee for writing the National Education Dance Standards for Early Childhood, and worked with the Kennedy Center VSA program to align the dance education standards for students with disabilities with the Common Core Standards.
For 12 years, Pam was also Director of the Dance Program for Madonna Learning Center, a school for children and young adults with disabilities. In 2016, she was awarded ‘Dance Teacher of the Year’ by Dance Teacher Magazine for her work with students with disabilities. Her daughter Sarah, a young adult with Down Syndrome, is her driving inspiration for creating and developing arts programs for individuals with disabilities.
Pam began teaching STOTT PILATES® in 2000 and is a fully Certified Instructor for Matwork, Reformer, Stability Chair, Cadillac and Barrels, as well as Injuries and Special Populations. She is passionate about helping others acquire and maintain fit and functional movement through Pilates so they may continue to enjoy a full and active life. As an Instructor Trainer in Matwork & Reformer, she enjoys imparting her years of experience with new teachers. She is also certified in the Pink Ribbon Program and has taken the John Barnes Level 1 MFR Course.
See where I teach
Patricia Liao
The Orange Room Wellness Center
Shanghai, China
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, Mat & Reformer
Additional credentials and designations
RYT; Master Stretch of BodyCode System® ; ZEN•GA Qualified Instructor; Total Barre® Qualified Instructor; ACE Certified Personal Trainer
Bio
As a Taiwanese-American expatriate who has lived in China for over 20 years, Patricia has developed a unique perspective on wellness that she hopes to share with the community. Patricia started practicing yoga in 2000, hoping to ease the chronic pain she suffered. Ever since she discovered the benefits that come from a balance of yoga and Pilates, she has been working to combine the two. She co-founded The Orange Room in 2006 with the vision of promoting wellness in the Shanghai community. The Orange Room later became the first host center for Merrithew® education in China. Patricia became a STOTT PILATES® Instructor in 2012, and an Instructor Trainer for Merrithew, specializing in STOTT PILATES® Mat and Reformer in 2015. While today her main duties revolve around the management of The Orange Room, her passion remains promoting Pilates education across China.
See where I teach
Patricia Tyler
BodyFit Studio
Cairo, Egypt
IT qualifications
STOTT PILATES® Matwork and Reformer
Additional credentials and designations
ACE, AFFA, Mad Dogg Athletics, TRX, Yogafit
Bio
Originally from South Africa, Patricia is the owner of the BodyFit Studio in Cairo, Egypt, the country's first dedicated Pilates Studio. With an extensive background in sports and fitness, dating back to 1983, she started teaching the STOTT PILATES® method in 2005, and went on to complete Full Certification in Matwork & Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels, together with Injuries and Special Populations in 2010. In 2012 she became Egypt's first Instructor Trainer for Merrithew® specializing in STOTT PILATES. She now teaches courses, presents workshops and examines students for certification. Patricia also has certifications in Personal Training (ACE), Group Fitness (AFFA), Spinning (Mad Dogg Athletics), Yogafit and TRX group Suspension Training systems. With a passion for teaching, Patricia is always keen to share her knowledge with students and clients alike.
See where I teach